Paulsboro Train Derailment Open House Scheduled For Tonight

An Open House for Paulsboro residents regarding Friday's train derailment takes place tonight at the Nehaunsey Middle School.

Derailed train in Paulsboro (WCAU TV)

The Unified Joint Command, which includes the US Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board will host the event at the school located at 415 Swedesboro Road in Gibbstown from 6:30PM-8PM

Coast Guard Petty Officer Nick Ameen says the event is a true open house and not a meeting. Tables will be staffed to answer questions about air monitoring, environmental information, community assistance, community protection and general questions. Ameen said the event is "informal" with a college fair feel.

Meanwhile, the air around the derailment site has consistently tested at a safe level allowing clean up operations to move forward. Divers have confirmed that the tanker carrying ethanol does not have a breach.

Ameen says crews have also started putting acetone into the tankers carrying vinyl chloride that will dissolve the chemical making for safer and easier offloading. 2 cranes are also in Mantua Creek for use in lifting the derailed cars out of the water and off the bridge. One crane came in from Camden, the other from New York arrived on Tuesday night. It was used to remove the "Miracle On The Hudson" plane from the river in 2009.

The shelter-in-place order was lifted Tuesday afternoon but the evacuation area was expanded as air quality continues to be a concern.

Kathy Moore of the US Coast Guard and the Unified Command said Tuesday she is well aware of the inconvenience placed upon residents by the slow cleanup. “We are absolutely committed to working safely and swiftly to get people back in their homes as soon as it is safe to do so,” Moore said.